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Nearly 250K rode shuttles to Oak Hill

Staff report
7:49 a.m. EDT October 4, 2013

Ollie Calabrese, of Pittsford, works to draw in parking to the Back Nine Grill as an RGRTA shuttle bus drives by on East Avenue during the third day of practice of the 95th PGA Championship in August.
(Photo: Max Schulte)

Free shuttle buses provided by the Regional Transit Service served a whopping 245,801 riders during the PGA championship at Oak Hill Country Club this summer, according to Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority CEO Bill Carpenter.

Carpenter on Thursday briefed authority commissioners on the tournament, which was held Aug. 5 to 11. The authority started off sending about 50 buses to and from the course when the event began and ended with more than 100 buses on the final day.

The surge in passengers pushed RGRTA ridership up more than 6 percent so far this year compared with last year. Discounting the PGA, ridership still is up about 2.9 percent.

Some commissioners said they heard a lot of positive feedback about service to the PGA and that serving the event may have helped raise the transit authority's profile and ultimately could attract more riders.

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Jason Dufner hugs wife on the 18th green following his two stroke victory at the final round of the 95th PGA Championship Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford. SHAWN DOWD staff photographer

Jason Dufner acknowledges the crowd after sinking a putt on the sixth hole during the final round of the 95th PGA Championship at Oak Hill. (Democrat and Chronicle photo by Jamie Germano) JAMIE GERMANO staff photographer

Rory Mcilroy and Sergio Garcia high five on 1 as Rory tees off and Sergio goes to 14 during the final round of the 95th PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Pittsford, NY August 11, 2013. Shawn Dowd STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jason Dufner kisses the Wanamaker Trophy as wife Amanda looks on following his two stroke victory at the final round of the 95th PGA Championship Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford. SHAWN DOWD staff photographer

Jason Dufner raises the Wanamaker Trophy as wife Amanda looks on following his two stroke victory at the final round of the 95th PGA Championship Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford. SHAWN DOWD staff photographer

Jason Dufner raises his arms in celebration after his final putt on the 18th giving him a two stroke victory at the final round of the 95th PGA Championship Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford. SHAWN DOWD staff photographer

Henrik Stenson chips from the rough into a bunker at the 14th during the final round of the 95th PGA Championship Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford. SHAWN DOWD staff photographer

Henrik Stenson reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 15th during the final round of the 95th PGA Championship Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford. SHAWN DOWD staff photographer

Jonas Blixt pumps his fist after sinking a long birdie putt on the 16th during the final round of the 95th PGA Championship Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford. SHAWN DOWD staff photographer